Delhi: Police told not to use complex Urdu and Persian words in FIR

Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora has issued an order directing the police staff not to use complex Urdu and Persian words while registering FIRs, diaries, or chargesheets. A list of 383 complex words with simpler alternatives in Hindi and English has been prepared by the department and shared with officers. The Commissioner of Police, citing the directions given by Delhi High Court in 2019 to the Delhi Police to avoid using complicated Urdu and Persian words, asked police staff to use simple words that can be easily understood by all parties involved.

"Despite issuing the above instructions, it is observed that compliance is not satisfactory. Archaic Urdu/Persian words are still being used by the investigating officers while registering the FIR as well as while preparing the diary list and charge sheet etc," the police chief said. Arora, issuing a circular in this regard, directed the police officers to ensure the maximum use of simpler words in FIRs.

"Non-compliance with the above instructions will be viewed seriously, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken," the order read. The Delhi police chief also shared a list of 383 complex words in Urdu which are most commonly used in the FIRs or chargesheets. With every Urdu word, he gave an alternative word in Hindi or English which can be used from now on.